Laboratory Emergency Preparedness Prepared by: Mahjoub Labyad, MIS, Public Health Specialist...

Laboratory

Emergency Preparedness

Prepared by:Mahjoub Labyad, MIS, Public Health Specialist

Environmental Health & Safety Office218-726-7273

Fall 2011

University of Minnesota | Duluth

Program Objectives

Fulfill regulatory requirements for emergency response planning.

Save life and property, lessen the impact of emergencies, and ensure academic and business operational continuity.

Improve employee preparedness & response, ensure familiarity with the procedures in place.

Familiarize employee with possible emergency scenarios and proper response.

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Program Objectives

Establish the roles and responsibilities for personnel responding to incidents.

Establish the importance of the Incident Command System (ICS).

Regulatory Requirements

29 CFR 1910.38 Standard “Emergency Action Plan” requires employers to provide EmergencyPreparedness Training to all staff including student employees.

Based on the nature of the workplace and itssurroundings, the training should discuss all possible emergency scenarios

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Regulatory Requirements

The training should also familiarize employees withthe written plans and at least the following:

Emergency reporting procedure. Procedures for emergency evacuation, including

the type of evacuations and exit routes. Procedure to account for employees after an

evacuation. Staff to contact for information about the plan.

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What Constitutes

An Emergency or a Disaster?

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An Emergency or a Disaster is

Any (sudden) event that disrupts the normal lives of people or normal operations of a business. 

Because of its nature, there is an urgent need for immediate and coordinated response by trained personnel who must function together in a team effort.

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Typical Response Agency Timelines

Call Rec’d 5 Minutes 1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week

LAW ENFORCEMENT

FIRE / EMS

HAZMAT

EOC

FBI

NEWS MEDIA

FEMA

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Campus/Employee Emergency NotificationA text messaging system (TEXT-U) is used to notify the UMD community members via Cell-phone following emergencies. You may sign up for this free system at http://www.d.umn.edu/emergency/umd_alerts.html

A Tone Alert Radios (TAR) to broadcast voice alert messages to the campus community. Depending on the situation, information about the emergency and instructions about how to proceed will be given. TARs are strategically placed throughout campus to ensure maximum coverage.

Public-Alert/Notification System

Employee Notification?

Question:

How do you notify your employees of Emergencies?

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Types of Emergencies

Biological (bacterial, viral, toxin spills, exposure, leaks, theft, flu-pandemic, influenza etc..)

Chemical (spill, exposure, leaks , thefts..) Bleach

Fire/explosion (housekeeping, electrical or chemical-related)

Medical/Personal Injuries (work, or Health-related i.e. Heart, Diabetes, Allergy problems)

Threats (bombs, weapons use…)

Weather (tornadoes, power outages, flooding)

Discussion

What types of emergencies you’ve experienced in the past as a department or a lab?

Have you participated in a complete building evacuation in the past?

Do you have a building evacuation Plan?

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Campus Preparedness

The University has a number of guidelines and procedure in place to deal with/ minimize the impact of emergencies.

It is everyone’s responsibility to become familiar with the guidelines and procedures in place.

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Emergency Information Desk Reference (http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/emergencies)

Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP) (http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/beep)

Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) Program (http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/AED)

UMD Chemical Spill Clean up Guide

Guidelines & Procedures

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Preparedness means

Familiarization with University plans and Procedures, and Knowing what to do before, during and after an emergency occurs.

Before Emergencies Occur

Conduct a Risk Assessment/Job Hazard Analysis to eliminate hazards and reduce risk.

Risk and Hazard Assessment prevents accidents and emergency situations, and most importantly it is the best way to ensure the safety of all employees and preservation of resources

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Before Emergencies Occur

Planning & Risk Assessment What are the potential hazards that may cause

accidents or emergencies? (Chemical exposure, Physical hazards, Fire & explosion hazards,)

What could go wrong? (Fire or explosion, chemical spills, runaway reactions, personal injury, chemical, rad. or biological exposure) ?

What will you do if it does?

How can hazards be eliminated risk minimized?

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Before Emergencies Occur

Develop a response plan, and Know how to report incidents and to whom.

Maintain a department emergency phone trees.(post by the phone http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/post)

Gather response supplies (First Aid Kit, Antidote, Spill Kit).

Share preparedness information with students, patients, guests etc at the start of each semester.

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Know your building’s Floor Plan and Exits Routes, and become familiar with your BEEP Plan and/or Evacuation procedure

Know the location of the emergency response equipment and how to use it (i.e. Safety Shower/Eyewash, Spill Kit Fire Extinguishers, Fire Alarm Pull Station, AED).

Attend required Emergency Preparedness, Fire Extinguisher and other Safety training

Before Emergencies Occur

Before Emergencies Occur

Know how and when to clean up spills if they occur, and what are your limitations (see UMD-Spill Clean up Guide)

Know how to Evacuate Safely (see BEEP Plan).

Know how to respond to medical emergencies

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Before Emergencies (Medical) Let someone like a friend, a coworker, or a supervisor

know if you have a pre-existing condition that may result in an emergency.

Have your medication (inhaler, EpiPen etc) available close by.

Take a CPR class and/or learn how to use the provided AED.

If you witness a medical emergency call 911 immediately and follow proper response procedure.

Immunize yourself (i.e. take a flu shot) .

Depending on the Emergency, you may be required to either:

1. Evacuate2. Shelter in place, 3. Go into a Lockdown, or 4. Take some type of action to assist others (CPR,

First Aid, AED, Call for help, or Clean Up a Spill)

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During Emergencies

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During Emergencies Remain calm but do not ignore the alarm

If you witness the emergency, initiate a response! Call 911 to alert emergency responders to situations requiring their attention.

If you are Evacuating, report to your assembly point/area by the safest route available (see BEEP)

Assist others with health/physical limitations if you are able to, without endangering your safety.

Walk do not run. Use stairs, do not use elevators.

Emergency Response Procedures

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Attend to injured persons and remove them from further harm

Alert people in the immediate area to evacuate

Activate the fire alarm or call the emergency response number (911)

Close doors to confine the hazard

Evacuate to a safe area.

In Case of Fire

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In Case of Spills

Alert others in the area of the incident, and direct them to nearest exit.

Block all entrances to deny access and prevent others from entering the contaminated area.

Close fire doors, isolate, the spill and post the lab/area with a "Caution Spill" sign

Do not re-enter a spill area without proper protective equipment.  You may endanger your life and health.

Assemble spill clean up Kit and protective gear if necessary

Report spill to EHS or 911

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Chemical Spills

Review MSDS of the spilled substance.

Obtain additional information form EHS on how to proceed safely.

Put on necessary protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, lab coat, face shield or goggles.

Clean up the spill, collect contaminated material, label collected material and dispose as hazardous waste.

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Chemical Spill Cleanup

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In Case of Exposure Remove all contaminated clothing (glove, lab coat, etc.) and

place in a biohazard (autoclave) bag.

If contaminated skin or open wounds, wash affected area vigorously with mild soap and water.

If contact with mucous membrane wash with copious amounts of water, flush eyes for at least 15 min.

In case of (inhalation or inoculation) seek medical help immediately.

If agent necessitate taking antidote, take/administer appropriate dose immediately.

Inform your supervisor, and EHS of the incident.

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In Case of Exposure

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During Emergencies

Follow official instructions given by your building coordinators or emergency response personnel.

If you are SHELTERING IN PLACE, (i.e. turnados, large chemical spills outside) stay inside the building, within your work area, or any safe place.

If applicable, make sure doors and windows are closed/locked (for both chemical or physical threat situation) to reduce your exposure to threats (i.e. chemical vapors, odors and fume intrusion)

During Emergencies

If you are in a LOCKDOWN situation, lock the doors to deny entry, and barricade yourself if necessary

Turn lights off, silence electronic devices, and remain quiet.

Spread within the room and hide behind furniture. Remain quiet and wait for further directions from

emergency response (Police Dept.) personnel. At the moment, the University Doesn’t have a

Lockdown Policy

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Lockdown Preventing Mass Casualty Shooting

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After an emergency

Wait for instructions from Public Safety, Emergency Personnel, or Building Emergency Coordinators.

Up-to-date information concerning the status of the emergency will be communicated through available media resources.

Emergency Response Personnel

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Building Emergency Coordinators (Volunteers) During emergencies requiring evacuation, Building Emergency Coordinators (see BEEP) will:

Assist with building evacuation Guide building occupants to emergency assembly

areas/points Account for evacuated employees Help people needing assistance to evacuate

Building Emergency Coordinators may carry flags for easy identification by students and staff at assembly points.

Further info at: http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/beep

Response Personnel

Have you appointed or asked anyone to volunteer as a responder?Roles :

• Shutting down equipment• Ensuring everyone evacuates• Accounting for evacuated employees.• Ensuring business continuity (critical

Personnel).43

For additional information please visit

http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/EPR.html

Thank you

UMD Emergency Preparedness

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